Day 2 Live: KL Rahul Milestone Achieved; Sundar in Critical No. 3 Role

Gautam Gambhir's bold elevation of Washington Sundar to No. 3 in India's batting lineup met with a promising yet premature end on Day 2 of the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens, as the all-rounder was dismissed for 25 shortly after smashing a spectacular six, leaving India at 85 for 2 after 37 overs and trailing by 74 runs. Sundar, who had anchored the innings with KL Rahul in a 58-run stand, fell to a sharp catch at short cover off Wiaan Mulder's seam-up delivery in the 35th over, attempting a firm drive that induced an edge from the left-hander's bat. The dismissal, confirmed on replay after a brief DRS review, ended a gritty knock of 25 off 68 balls—featuring that towering 90-metre straight six off Keshav Maharaj earlier—but highlighted the risks of his unorthodox promotion, drawing mixed reactions from analysts who praised his composure but noted the Proteas' renewed intensity post-breakthrough.

Sundar's departure brought Shubman Gill to the crease at No. 4, joining Rahul, who remained unbeaten on 40 off 95 deliveries, his fourth boundary a fluent clip off Marco Jansen underscoring his growing authority. The wicket disrupted the session's momentum just as India appeared set to breach the 100-run mark before lunch, with Mulder (7-2-15-1) celebrating his first scalp of the match by inducing variable bounce on a pitch that continued to offer seam assistance under clearing skies. Corbin Bosch, the debutant replacing the injured Kagiso Rabada, maintained pressure from the other end with 11-3-22-0, his fuller lengths testing edges without further reward. South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma reshuffled fields aggressively, introducing a short leg to target Gill's early nerves, as the visitors sensed an opportunity to restrict India below 200 and force a competitive second innings on a surface showing subtle cracks.

The morning session had unfolded as a tactical arm wrestle, with India adding 48 runs for the loss of one wicket in the first hour post-resumption from 37 for 1, but Sundar's exit shifted dynamics toward caution. His knock, blending watchful defence against Jansen's swing with that audacious six—a floated full toss dispatched over long-on—had silenced early doubters of Gambhir's strategy, rooted in Sundar's spin-bowling utility for later overs. However, the dismissal evoked memories of his occasional top-order frailties, averaging just 22.50 in four prior Test outings at higher positions. Rahul, now the linchpin, rotated strike efficiently, his 4,000th Test run milestone earlier adding statistical weight to his 46.10 home average, as he eyes a half-century to steady the ship.

Echoing Day 1's blueprint of control, India's bowlers—led by Jasprit Bumrah's 5 for 27—had set a low bar for South Africa's 159, with Aiden Markram's 31 the standout in a collapse from 57 for 1. Mohammed Siraj's turnaround and Kuldeep Yadav's guile (2 for 36) exploited reverse swing, while Axar Patel (1 for 21) mopped up. Gambhir, in his post-session huddle, defended the selection as "context-specific for Eden's balance", emphasising Sundar's 2021 Gabba resilience, but the wicket underscores the fine line between innovation and vulnerability in a transitional lineup sans Virat Kohli.

With 87 overs remaining and weather holding steady for an extended day, Gill and Rahul must forge a substantial alliance to push toward 250, potentially enforcing the follow-on and tilting the WTC opener decisively. South Africa's seamers, buoyed by the breakthrough, rotate astutely, but their batting fragility looms if India claims a 150-plus lead on a wicket expected to grip for spinners post-tea. Sundar's exit adds intrigue to Gambhir's blueprint—bold yet brittle—testing whether India's depth can weather the Proteas' fightback in this seam-spin symphony at cricket's grandest stage.